Magnet assembly for the suspension and guidance of suspended vehicles and transport systems

ABSTRACT

A magnet assembly for the suspension and guidance of suspended vehicles and transport systems creates an intrinsically stable, contactless magnetic suspension and guidance system composed of an assembly of magnetic elements and a superconductor assembly for suspended vehicles and transport systems. At least one part of the magnetic element assembly is physically connected to the superconductor assembly. In addition, the magnetic elements assembly and the superconductor assembly are magnetically intercoupled to maintain a stable distance between at least two magnetic elements by the utilization of a magnetic field that is frozen in the superconductor. The magnetic assembly can be used in particular in those vehicles and transport systems that are configured to be displaced along a magnetic rail without making contact with the latter, thus enabling a displacement devoid of friction and abrasion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a magnet assembly for the suspension andguidance of vehicles and transport systems. The magnet assembly can beused particularly for those vehicles and transport systems, which areconstructed for locomotion along a magnetic rail without contacting thelatter and, with that, make possible a frictionless and wear-freelocomotion.

In principle, two magnets cannot assume a stable position relative toone another without contact or support. Any magnetic transporter system,which is based on magnetic levitation, therefore requires a mechanicalsupport or a control of the magnetic fields. If magnetic guidance for astable, suspended state is to be realized with these elements,additional guiding magnets are required aside from the supportingmagnets.

A stable, contactless magnetic suspension is, however, possible withsuperconductors in suitably shaped magnetic fields since, contrary toall other materials, a superconductor either does not penetrate into themagnetic field or, once such a magnetic field is present in itsinterior, maintains it unchanged. This is due to the fact that themagnetic flux penetrates into a superconductor in the form of fluxlines, which can be anchored at defects in the material. Accordingly, ifa superconductor, which contains many so-called pinning centers, iscooled in an inhomogeneous magnetic field to a temperature below itssuperconducting transition temperature, the form of this externalmagnetic field can be “frozen” in the respective position in thesuperconductor. If an attempt is now made to bring the superconductorout of this position, then this attempt is counteracted by a restoringforce, which may be very large. For example, if the superconductor ismade superconducting in a position, which is fixed by means of a spacera few millimeters or centimeters above a magnetic rail, thesuperconductor retains this position, even after the spacer is removed,without contacting the rail. In other words, the superconductor has arepelling as well as an attracting effect in the magnetic field. If themagnetic rail has a uniform magnetic field along its length, thesuperconductor can move along the rail without contact and, with that,also without friction and without wear.

With the help of this principle, the possibility has already beendemonstrated of the contactless transport in a state suspended above amagnetic rail, but also along a wall, which is equipped with a magneticrail, as well as freely suspended below a magnetic rail. Thedisadvantage of such an assembly lies therein that the superconductorrequires cooling. In the event that the cooling fails, such a suspendedtransporting system would crash in the absence of additional safeguards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to create an intrinsically stable,contactless, magnetic suspension and guidance, consisting of a magnetparts assembly and a superconductor assembly, for suspended vehicles andtransporting systems.

Pursuant to the invention, the magnet parts assembly is connected withat least one of its parts physically with the superconductor assemblyand the magnetic parts assembly and the superconductor assembly arecoupled magnetically with one another in order to main a stable distancebetween at least two magnet parts, utilizing a magnetic field, which isfrozen into the superconductor.

The assembly of magnet parts may consist of one or more pairs ofmutually attracting or repelling magnet parts, which are kept at astable distance from one another by the superconductor assembly.

The superconductor assembly may consist of one or more superconductors.

Advisably, the assembly of magnet parts may contain one or morerail-shaped magnet parts.

The magnet parts may consist of ferromagnetic, soft magnetic orferromagnetic hard magnetic materials and/or may be constructed aselectromagnets.

Instead of ferromagnetic, hard-magnetic materials, it is also possibleto use superconductors.

In accordance with an appropriate development of the invention, thesuperconductor assembly is equipped with superconductors, which consistof a melt-texturized YBaCuO material.

In accordance with an advantageous development of the invention, thesuperconductor assembly is surrounded at least partially by aheat-insulating material. In addition to the superconductor assembly,the magnet parts assembly can also be surrounded at least partly with aheat-insulating material.

The superconductor assembly may be provided at least partly with aprotective layer to avoid oxidation and/or the effects of moisture.

The invention is explained in greater detail below by means of examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic representation of a contactless magnetsuspension for transporting goods,

FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic representation of a further contactlessmagnet suspension for transporting goods, and

FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic representation of a contactless magnetassembly at a rail vehicle;

FIG. 4 illustrates a box representation of a protective layer to beprovided to at least partially surround another box representation of asuperconductor assembly of the magnet suspension; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a box representation of a thermally insulatingmaterial to be provided to at least partially associate with another boxrepresentation of the superconductor assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS EXAMPLE 1

For the magnetic suspension, shown in FIG. 1, two superconductors 1; 2are fastened at a distance from one another on a support 3, which isshown only partly. The support 3 serves to accommodate goods, which areto be transported. The superconductors 1; 2 are connected firmly with amagnet part 4, which consists of a ferromagnetic, hard magneticmaterial. This assembly hangs at a constant distance underneath 3magnetic rails 5; 6; 7, which are disposed next to one another and havea uniform magnetic field along their length.

The outer magnetic rails 5 and 7 are poled magnetically, so that theirnorth pole is at the bottom. On the other hand, the south pole of theother magnetic rail 6, which is disposed between the two magnetic rails5 and 7, is at the bottom.

The superconductors 1; 2 consist of melt-texturized YBaCuO material.They are fixed at a distance of a few millimeters below the magneticrails 5; 6; 7 by means of an interposed spacer, which is not shown inthe drawing, and cooled in this position to a temperature below theirsuperconducting transition temperature and thereby made superconducting.At the same time, the form of the inhomogeneous external magnetic field,which, starting out from the magnetic part 4 and the magnetic rails 5;6; 7, acts on the superconductor 1; 2, is frozen in the superconductors1; 2 at their pinning centers. As a result, the superconductors 1; 2retain their position with respect to the magnetic rails 5; 6; 7 afterremoval of the spacer. This refers to the distance between thesuperconductors 1; 2 and the magnetic rails 5; 6; 7, as well as to theposition of the superconductors 1; 2 transversely to the longitudinalaxis of the magnetic rails 5; 6; 7. A restoring force, which starts outfrom the superconductors 1; 2, acts counter to any force, which acts inthe direction of a positional change. With that, a secure suspension, aswell as the guidance of the transporting assembly is ensured. Thelateral guiding forces, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of themagnetic rails 5; 6; 7, are amplified even more here by the magnet part4.

The assembly with the support 3, consisting of the superconductors 1; 2and the magnetic part 4, can be moved without resistance in thedirection of the longitudinal axis of the magnetic rails 5; 6; 7, sincethe magnetic rails 5; 6; 7 have a uniform magnetic field along theirlength. Because of the constant distance maintained between thesuperconductors 1; 2 and the magnetic rails 5; 6; 7, this movement iscontactless and, with that, without friction and wear.

In the event of an intentional or unintentional interruption of thesuperconductor effect, the magnetic part 4 would be attracted to themagnetic rail 6, so that a crash of the assembly, consisting of thesuperconductors 1; 2, the magnet part 4 and the support 3, is avoided.

EXAMPLE 2

This example is based on the magnet assembly described in Example 1 andrelates to a particularly space-saving possibility.

Only a single superconductor 8, in which, however, a magnet part 9 iscontained, is positioned suspended here below the magnetic rails 5; 6;7, as shown in FIG. 2. The magnet part 9 consists of a ferromagnetic,hard magnetic material. The assembly, consisting of the superconductor 8and the magnet part 9, is connected with a support 10 for accommodatingtransported goods.

The outer magnet rails 5 and 7 are poled magnetically so that theirnorth pole is at the bottom. On the other hand, for the magnetic rail 6,which is disposed between the outer magnetic rails 5 and 7, the southpole is at the bottom. The magnet part 9 is disposed so that its northpole is directed towards the magnetic rail 6.

The inhomogeneous, external magnetic field, which, starting out from themagnetic part 9 and the magnetic rails 5; 6; 7, acts on thesuperconductor 8, is frozen in the superconductor 8 at the pinningcenters of the latter. As a result, the superconductor 8 with the magnetpart 9 retains its distance from and its lateral position relative tothe magnetic rails 5; 6; 7, as described in Example 1.

Because the distance between the superconductors 8 and the magneticrails 5; 6; 7 is kept constant, this movement is contactless andtherefore without friction and wear.

EXAMPLE 3

This example relates to the use of the inventive magnet assembly at arail vehicle 11 in the form of a maglev system, which movescontactlessly along a T-shaped rail 12 (FIG. 3). At the same time,electromagnets 13 are disposed at the ends of the crossmember of theT-shaped rail 12 and generate an inhomogeneous magnetic field in thevertical and lateral directions, but a uniform magnetic field in thelongitudinal direction of the rails. Superconductors 14 are disposed atthe underside of the rail vehicle 11 opposite to the electromagnets 13and exercise the function of the superconductors 1; 2, which isdescribed in Example 1, in that they ensure the suspension as well asthe guidance of the rail vehicle 11.

The rail vehicle 11 is carried suspended with the help of electromagnets15, which are below the rail 12 consisting of the ferromagneticmaterial, attractive magnetic forces existing between the electromagnets15 and the rail 12.

The rail vehicle 11 is driven in a known manner by a synchronous longstator linear mentor, which is not shown in the drawing.

FIG. 4 illustrates, as a box representation, a protection layer 17 forat least partial disposition around the superconductor 18.

FIG. 5 illustrates, as a box representation, a thermally insulatingmaterial 19 for at least partial disposition around the superconductor16.

1. A magnet arrangement for suspending and guiding vehicles andtransport systems, comprising: a rail defined at least in part by afirst magnet; and a superconductor assembly to which a support isreceivable, said superconducting assembly including at least onesuperconductor physically connected to a second magnet, said secondmagnet being disposed in a position in said superconductor assembly suchthat said second magnet faces said first magnet and is oriented suchthat said first and second magnets mutually attract when saidsuperconductor is arranged for transport along said rail, a magneticfield created by said first and second magnets being frozen in said atleast one superconductor when a superconductor effect is induced,thereby maintaining a predetermined distance between said second magnetand said second magnet, said first magnet being pulled towards saidfirst magnet in the event of an interruption of the superconductoreffect, and thereby a crash of the superconductor assembly is prevented.2. The magnet arrangement of claim 1, further comprising at least oneadditional pair of mutually attracting or repelling magnets which areheld at said predetermined distance from one another by thesuperconductor assembly.
 3. The magnet arrangement of claim 1, whereinthe superconductor assembly comprises at least one additionalsuperconductor.
 4. The magnet arrangement of claim 1, wherein said firstmagnet comprises a part of a magnet assembly including a total of atleast two rail-shaped magnets.
 5. The magnet arrangement of claim 1,wherein said at least one superconductor is comprised of a melttexturized YBaCuO material.
 6. The magnet arrangement of claim 1,further comprising a thermally insulating material, said insulatingmaterial at least partially surrounding said superconductor assembly. 7.The magnet arrangement of claim 1, wherein the superconductor assemblyfurther comprises a layer, said layer protecting said superconductorassembly against at least one of oxidation and moisture.
 8. The magnetarrangement of claim 1, wherein said at least one superconductor iscomprised of a melt texturized YBaCuO material.
 9. A magnet arrangementfor suspended guidance transport systems, comprising: a first magnet atleast in part defining a rail; and a superconductor assembly to which asupport for accommodating items to be transported along the rail isreceivable, said superconductor assembly including at least onesuperconductor and a second magnet, said second magnet being physicallyconnected to said at least one superconductor and oriented such thatwhen the superconductor assembly is placed in an operable positionrelative to said rail, said first and second magnets are oriented tomutually attract one another and, when a superconductor effect isinduced in said at least one superconductor, a magnetic field created bysaid first and second magnets is frozen in the superconductor therebymaintaining a predetermined distance between said first and secondmagnets and, in an event of interruption of the superconductor effect,said second magnet is drawn towards said first magnet, and thereby acrash of the superconductor assembly is prevented.
 10. The magnetassembly of claim 9, wherein the rail comprises third and fourth magnetsdisposed laterally on opposed sides of said first magnet.
 11. The magnetassembly of claim 10, wherein: the first, third and fourth magnets eachincludes a upper side and a lower side; and each of the first, third andfourth magnets are magnetically poled, each of the third and fourthmagnets having a north pole at the lower side thereof, and the firstmagnet having a south pole at the lower side thereof.
 12. The magnetassembly of claim 10, wherein: the first, third and fourth magnets eachincludes a upper side and a lower side; and each of the first, third andfourth magnets are magnetically poled and include a first pole and asecond pole opposite to said first pole, each of the third and fourthmagnets having said first pole oriented at the lower side thereof, andthe first magnet having said second pole oriented at the lower sidethereof.